[OPLINLIST] Keeping Track of Number of Patrons in Library

[Chad Neeper]

I used to consult with your library back in the Michelle D and early Karen
P years and I'm quite familiar with your layout (assuming it hasn't changed
much). If you haven't changed the circ desk and staff area, you could
simply keep the West side door locked and require patrons to enter the
front door. With a bit of care, your staff should be able to keep a rough
count of the coming and going of patrons without specifically posting
someone at the door. When the patron count gets uncomfortably close to your
upper limit, THEN a staff member could police the door until your numbers
within the library fall. You could do something as simple as a whiteboard
with erasable markers and a running tally of the current number of patrons.
Or an abacus-style visual counter (paper clips on a string), etc. Or you
could simply work "by feel". Your staff will have a general idea of how
many patrons are in the library at any given moment. Depending on your
desired maximum count, when it seems like you might be getting a little
uncomfortably close to the limit, you can do a quick head count and start
tracking/policing until the number of patrons diminish back to a more
comfortable level. Depending on what you've set your limit at, I don't
imagine you're going to have so many patrons at once that you can't employ
a very simple manual system that doesn't require dedicating a staff member
to stand at the door.

2 cents,
Chad



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*Chad Neeper*
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On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 8:59 AM Tina Michel via OPLINLIST <
oplinlist at lists.oplin.org> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I am wondering what plans have been made by your library for keeping a
> tally of the number of patrons entering your building upon reopening? It
> seems most places of business have a person constantly stationed at front
> door with an i-pad.  Due to our small staff, that may not be best for us.
> However, we want to be sure to keep our patron numbers only at our
> designated amount.  How are all of you planning to do this?
>
> Many thanks,
> Tina Michel, Director
> Centerburg Public Library
> 49 E. Main St,
> Centerburg, OH 43011
> (740) 625-6538
>
> Currently reading "Get Our of Your Own Way" by Dave Hollis.
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